Your article gave the details of a happening in Colorado Springs on Christmas morning. A telephone call to the police told not of a crime but of a need: A 11-year-old boy would not have a Christmas because of his struggling family’s situation. Two officers responded by finding an appropriate gift, and with the help of sheriff’s deputies, delivered it to the boy.

While stories of shootings and killings are front-page material, this kind of action is also taking place in our communities and we need to make a greater effort to improve public awareness of the positive side of law enforcement. I am sure there will not be any demonstrations or protests over this event, but maybe there should be.

Officers Barry Rizk and Bob Eberhardt and the sheriff’s deputies are to be commended for their part in making Christmas a memorable one for this young man. Thank you.

Bill Campbell, Lakewood

This letter was published in the Dec. 31 edition.

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I would like to thank Target for hanging a Merry Christmas banner in their store this month and for allowing their help to wish their customers “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.” And what a pleasure it was to see King Soopers closed on Christmas Day so families could enjoy the day together. That’s the way it should always be.

Hobby Lobby has it right when they take out a full-page ad in The Post to observe what Christmas is all about: the Christ child’s birthday.

Thank you also to any other stores that observe the real meaning of Christmas.

Jean M. Baldwin, Aurora

This letter was published in the Dec. 29 edition.

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In an effort to avoid offending all the different religions and rites of celebration exercised this time of year — Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, etc. — and a nod to the corporate takeover of the season, I propose a new seasonal greeting that is all-encompassing: “Have a happy 4th quarter celebration!” There, now everybody is happy.

R. Hamilton, Littleton

This letter was published in the Dec. 17 edition.

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Your front-page article regarding the Children’s Hospital neonatal staff who work on Christmas was heartwarming and inspirational. But no words could compare to the beautiful picture of nurse Sarah Hodgin with a big grin on her face causing baby Aiden Schmitt, wearing his Santa cap and surrounded by tubes and hoses, to grin back at her. I couldn’t stop looking at it all day.

I would suggest that all of your readers should put that picture up somewhere where they can look at it whenever they feel unhappy or depressed. Nothing will brighten your day quicker than seeing those two smile at each other.

Tilly Rollin, Centennial

This letter was published in the Dec. 30 edition.

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Twelve years ago I began working as a volunteer at the St. Francis Center, a day shelter for homeless people in Denver. People ask what motivates me. On Christmas Eve, a man approached me with two small girls, about 10 and 7 years old. The man handed me a small sack he said contained donations for the shelter. Then he pulled out a huge wad of bills, saying, “They have been saving this money as well. About $200.” Deeply moved, I thanked the girls and decided our executive director, Tom Luehrs, ought to be the one to accept the gifts. I found him in the laundry folding clothes. He was delighted, dropped the towel he was folding and came to the front, accepted the donations, thanked them and gave them a receipt. They smiled broadly. Their spirit will keep me going to the St. Francis Center as long as I can.

Phillip K. Tompkins, Denver

This letter was published in the Dec. 28 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

I chose a similar path to columnist Ben Cape this year, pulling out an old artificial tree, but I have different reasons. For more than 30 years, I’ve gone to the mountains with friends and family to “bag a tree,” enjoying the various adventures finding the great and not-so-great tree. This year at Fraser, my favorite spot, I found a lonely lodgepole sitting in an area cleared for beetle kill. I put ribbons on it, took pictures, declared my first “catch and release” Christmas tree, and left it there. It survived the beetles so far, so I hope it sticks around to seed the next forest. Meanwhile, I hope Mr. Cape can find ways to enjoy wilderness with his daughter when it’s not so cold and steep, and appreciate real trees in the forest.

Suzanne Stutzman, Golden

This letter was published in the Dec. 27 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

Focus on the Family is focused on the wrong idea. Insisting that “Christmas” be included in retail messages only feeds the commercialism of the holiday. Is that OK with them? (By officially commenting on the advertising practices of retailers, they’re also giving free publicity to those retailers and contriving publicity for their own agenda.)

If Focus on the Family wants to celebrate Christ, here’s a thought: Instead of whining that retailers should put “Christmas” in their advertising, how about arguing against it? How about not contributing to commercializing the holiday? I’m hardly an evangelical Christian, but even I feel a little creeped out when sacred Christmas music is piped into retail outlets.

If anyone really wants to promote Christ or Christmas, quit insisting that a figure they regard as holy be integrated into the world of retail.
Mary W. Lemma, Parker

This letter was published in the Dec. 24 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

The Sunday Denver Post, on the front page no less, reports on Christian organizations criticizing retailers for attempting to be more inclusive during the holiday season. I, for one, am getting sick of their intolerance and want my Christmas back.

All of my life Christmas has been a commercial and social event. We shop and shop and then give all the stuff away to our family and friends. I love it! Families get together and eat and drink and lovers get together in front of the fire.

Every year that religious bunch tries to spoil it for us. I could give a hoot less about shepherds and angels and a baby in a trough. They are just trying to make us feel guilty for having a good time.

If they want to make a religious holiday out of it, they are free to do so in their own houses and their own churches.

We have freedom from religion in this country, after all, not freedom from commercialization. I like that; I love to shop!

Sue Hogan, Centennial

This letter was published in the Dec. 24 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

In defense of the Nativity scene at the Denver City and County Building, The Post’s editorial board proclaims that “Most Coloradans celebrate Christmas and are not in the least bit offended.” Count me as one Christmas-celebrating Coloradan who is indeed offended.

I know: Such displays have the “blessing” of the Supreme Court. Under the court’s rule, so long as baby Jesus is depicted as being no more significant than a dancing candy cane (or, in The Post’s view, “the smell from the stock show”), there is no constitutional problem.

But there are many Coloradans who, like me, believe the government should not sponsor religious displays even if the law allows it. If I need reminding of the “reason for the season,” I go to church, not to the government. (And if campy Denver tradition is what I’m after, I go to Casa Bonita.)

Jill Wichlens, Denver

This letter was published in the Dec. 19 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

I went on an RTD Senior Ride Tuesday night to see the Christmas lights of Denver. When we arrived at the City and County Building, I was blown away. In all the years of viewing the lights, there has never been a more spectacular sight. The color spotlights shooting their colors up the building was amazing. Congratulations to the men and women who design and put up this display. Also to RTD and their drivers for taking us on this trip. It was enjoyed by all.

Nancy Price, Denver

This letter was published in the Dec. 19 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

Susan Greene has achieved an all-time low in logic, sensitivity and good taste. She points out the U.S. and Colorado supreme courts allow a nativity scene like the one outside Denver’s city hall — if it is joined by cultural icons like Santa and/or toy soldiers. Her disgust, not for Santa, but for the nativity scene, is described by comparing the two to burping and farting at the dinner table.

Is the nativity scene the burp or the fart? Same question for Santa.

Had any public official made such a ludicrous comparison, they would be looking for work within weeks. Ms. Greene should be sanctioned — not for exercising her free speech, but for her juvenile reasoning, her intolerance of those of us who enjoy and appreciate our culture being included in the city’s decorations, and for her rude, crude and tasteless comparison.

May her children grace her dinner table with her own comparison.

Erik Ohman, Parker

This letter was published in the Dec. 18 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

To reach the Denver Post editorial page by phone: 303-954-1331

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